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Australia’s Proposed ‘Opt-Out’ Law Targets Big Tech Algorithms

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Australia plans to introduce draft laws that could require social media platforms to let users turn off powerful recommendation algorithms.
  • Communications Minister Anika Wells said users should be able to choose whether they receive algorithmically curated feeds.
  • Opposition leader Angus Taylor expressed concern that the proposal could become an attempt to censor social media, while the government’s under-16 ban has not stopped children from using major apps.

Australia is preparing legislation that could force social media companies to let users switch off the powerful algorithms that shape their feeds.

Communications Minister Anika Wells told the ABC that the draft laws would require platforms such as Meta to meet what the government calls a digital duty of care. The proposal forms part of a broader effort to address online harm and scrutiny of allegedly addictive recommendation systems.

A lot of Australians appreciate the algorithm, both for the enjoyment they get out of it or the utility they get out of it.

· Anika WellsAustralia’s communications minister acknowledged that many users value algorithmic feeds.

Wells said many Australians value algorithmic feeds for their entertainment or usefulness. But she said platforms should offer users a choice instead of making the algorithm the default they cannot avoid. “A lot of Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we think that Big Tech should offer them the choice in the first place, and they should respect that choice.”

A lot of Australians will want to choose the algorithm, but we think that Big Tech should offer them the choice in the first place, and they should respect that choice.

· Anika WellsShe explained why the government wants platforms to give users control over algorithmic feeds.

The proposal has already drawn scepticism from the opposition. Angus Taylor, the opposition leader, said the Coalition had not seen the Labor government’s bill and warned that it could amount to social media censorship. “I am deeply sceptical. I fear that this is going to be an attempt by the government to censor social media, but as I say, we haven’t seen it. Let’s see what the government comes forward with,” he told the ABC.

Social media companies face accusations that they direct users toward sensational or extreme material to keep them scrolling. Australia banned under-16s from accessing social media in December in a crackdown aimed at protecting children from online bullying and predatory algorithms. Data cited in the article later showed Australian children increasing their use of apps including Instagram and TikTok despite the ban.

I am deeply sceptical. I fear that this is going to be an attempt by the government to censor social media, but as I say, we haven’t seen it. Let’s see what the government comes forward with.

· Angus TaylorAustralia’s opposition leader criticised the proposal before seeing the government’s bill.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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